Aarmau: Remember Me, Remember Us, Just Remember

Chapter 121

While they eat Aph keeps glancing around the inside of Hyria's cottage and can't seem to reconcile it against an image in her head. She suddenly realizes the table is quiet and notices they're all giving her questioning looks.

A deep blush spreads across her cheeks. "Sorry I just keep seeing something different. This isn't your original home Hyria."

Hyria slowly sips her tea and shakes her head, "No it isn't. That cottage is inside the forest and I still go there from time to time when I want to get away from the normal world."

Lucinda glares at her, "All those times I try to call and it says it can't go through. Is that where you go?"

Hyria sighs, "Technology doesn't work inside the forest dear and you know it. That's why you never visit. Irene designed it that way. If you had learned anything at Starlight it's that our world was very technologically advanced at one point. It's what became the root of our problems and nearly destroyed us. Starlight itself used to be a much larger island but the war destroyed most of it and the civilization Irene had created there. The Cannon was the last functioning piece of that technology."

Aaron flinches, "You knew about the Cannon?"

Hyria gives Aaron a sympathetic smile, "I did but I never suspected Michael planned to use it. It was hidden from the public and I'm the only one still alive in this world that should know anything about it. But that monster has been sulking in the void since Lord Aphmau and Travis's past self banished him there. I don't even know how he managed to get free but what's done is done. It's a shame it took Derek and Terry sacrificing themselves to put an end to him."

Lucinda shakes her head, "I can't believe you're that old!"

Hyria glares at Lucinda, "And I can't believe how rude you are."

Aph tries hard to keep from laughing but Lucinda has always had a strange relationship with her mother. If Aph's memories are correct Hyria had the same problem with the first Lucinda but there is no way she's going to open that can of worms.

Aaron shakes his head and chuckles. "Hyria I was thinking, is your cottage in the forest free to be used? Maybe Aph could come here for a little while if you think it would help."

Aph's head whips in Aaron's direction and she's so shocked she nearly falls out of her chair. She really hopes she hadn't been thinking out loud earlier.

Aaron instinctively reaches out to steady her and it's clear by the expression on his face he doesn't know the reason for her reaction. Aph frowns at him, "Aaron?"

Aaron shrugs, "Well, if this was where Irene came to relax and if it has the same effect on you then this is the place for you to be. My parents took me home to Falcon Claw after the lodge but I'm not sure if I really benefited from it the way you would from this place."

Aph only thought it was a good idea earlier but it was simply a thought. Faced with possibly staying here causes her heart to race and a cold sweat forms between her shoulder blades. Here? Alone?! With no way to communicate with the outside world?

What in the heck is wrong with her? Aph closes her eyes and tries to take a slow cleansing breath but she can't seem to calm her heart.

Aaron gently squeezes her hand to grab her attention again. Aph shakes her head, "I'm not ready Aaron. Being alone sounds nice in theory but it's not. What if I start to forget?!"

Aaron shakes his head, "You're not going to be alone Aph. I plan on coming with you. They don't need me at the house and I know your mom would take Celestia, Alexander, and Eli again if we needed it."

Relief washes through her. Thinking of being completely alone with Aaron with no interruptions would be perfect. Aph turns to Hyria in excitement, "Hyria?"

Hyria nods and smiles, "Of course you can use the cottage. You can look it over before you head home if you like."

Aph bounces in her seat like a little kid and Aaron can't help but laugh. He's looking forward to spending some time alone with her.